Death - An Ending and a Beginning

by Carol Bedient

Death is an ending and a beginning. It is the ending of physical life and Earth consciousness. It is the beginning of spirit plane life. We may cycle in and out of lives on these two planes, always seeking growth and spiritual evolution. We might also walk with a foot somewhat in both planes while on the earth and with a connection to the Earth plane while in the spiritual dimension.

In my energy medicine/healing work, I have worked with many individuals who are seriously ill, even well into their death transition. The beauty of life is more real to those who are looking at the choices of transitions. They are more willing, more available, to let the barriers down and to more completely experience the fullness of the heart and spirit.

We often think of healing as the remission of some kind of physical symptoms, and it can be that. It can also be the inner transformation that supports and allows us to complete some understanding that our soul has chosen to learn from. Regardless of where you are in your journey, you can benefit from responding to the world as if it were your last moments.

An important part of the healing with dying people is the completion and closure on traumatic, painful or misunderstood parts of their lives. Relationships which have been left without closure and which we are still in pain from create a tremendous unconscious burden that we carry forward into every part of our lives. Roads not taken, forgiveness not given, love not expressed, and the regrets, disappointment, anger, and bitterness that result, are a part of our energy bodies.

When individuals experience a life-threatening experience, they may begin to open their consciousness to these past events and attempt to heal them. Some part of their spirits may become more available to them, guiding them towards wholeness.

If we believe that healing is only about positive physical outcome, we are limiting ourselves to belief in the ends, rather than being engaged and healed in the process or the means. It is crucial for us to let go of what the results might be and allow ourselves to experience the process.

A woman I worked with had breast cancer and, with healing work and medical intervention, we were able to get a remission. She worked very hard during that healing time to connect with, release, and forgive what she had been carrying with her. About 18 months later, after another unresolved blow to the ego, she was again diagnosed with cancer of the liver, which metastasized to the brain and the lungs. The physical illness did not get relieved and there were some emotional issues she had difficulty resolving, but as the time of her death came closer, she was able to bring closure to many experiences, finally completing the one which had not been resolvable to her.

In the last few days of her life, she let go of her hurt and anger. I believe that as she was supported physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually during that ending time, she could become more open. Becoming more connected to the spiritual realm enabled her to draw from a higher consciousness to heal. The night before her death, her entire family sat around her in her bedroom and, with support and guidance, they were able to express their love and their goodbyes to her. She was able to receive this love, find completion and closure, and become ready to make her transition.

The lesson we might take from this is not to wait until we are dying to confront what is ill in the self. Begin now to heal what is in you. Your "issues" may show up physically as illness or stress, or emotionally with depression, anger, despair, or sadness. You may have beliefs about yourself (and others) that you are unworthy, wrong, deserve lack, or are unlovable. Such beliefs may manifest spiritually as lack of love of self, lack of compassion or forgiveness, or absence of joy. The sooner we begin to confront these manifestations of unhealed issues, the better our quality of life becomes.

Healing is multi-dimensional. When we are ill in any part of us, energy work alone is not enough, nor is mental therapy, nor is the right diet and vitamins. All of these might help, but an integrated approach is needed to heal. We are not simply a body, or a mind, or emotions or a spirit. We are all these energies synergistically organizing in a continuous flow, moving us in the direction these particular energies will take us at any given time.

Most healing modalities have value to us. Massage therapy can help open up a body that is shut down from emotions and spirit. Energy work such as Reiki can help get energy that has been stuck or suppressed moving again. There are many kinds of psychotherapy, including some cutting edge body/mind therapies, which can help us organize mentally and emotionally in a healthier way. Meditation, prayer and spiritual energy healing can help us connect to the spirit realm and our higher selves for guidance. Some individuals can pull many parts of this together at one time; they can assist you in moving through your issues more quickly.

Perhaps we need to recognize that we are dying inside every day when we are not free to be our best selves. When your unresolved emotional, mental, physical and spiritual issues remain stuck in your energy consciousness, you are limited in your choices, insight, openness, and flexibility. You don't have to wait until these issues manifest in some negative way in your life. Begin now to seek within to unlock that which has been locked, and then use a loving approach to heal it. Love all you have been through and all you are. Take a risk to work at a deeper level with someone who has the skills to help you integrate healing at all levels of your being. Begin somewhere if you are stuck. Stop waiting for the right time, the right person, the most right thing.

When you step out onto your path of healing, you are renewing life within. As you begin on that path, even if all you can do is have the intention and willingness to heal yourself, the right kinds of healer will be presented to you. You simply have to be willing to live; living involves taking a risk.

Carol Ann Bedient, LCSW, developed Psycho-Spiritual Energy Healing in 1985. For over 18 years she has worked with health issues, emotional pain, mental trauma and spirit disconnection. For more information, call 919-361-3001 or visit www.hometown.aol.com/cabedient/index.html.